Shiplake & Henley's ancient woods, River Thames, bluebells, NT Greys Court

Come and join us for the first day of spring for a bluebells and woodland flower extravaganza - the woodlands will be starting to aliven with spring growth and the surrounding fields will be producing the first buds of their farming produce.

We start in Shiplake - an ancient Viking town name for ‘ship lack’ - this was as a far as the Vikings could get their ships to their main encampment in Reading. Famous people frequented these parts - George Orwell lived in Shiplake, the English poet Alfred Tennyson got married in Shiplake Church and Elizabeth I’s treasure is buried near Rotherfield Greys.

The real gem will be the spring flowers that will be budding throughout as we walk over fields and into woodland with some splendid views of the River Thames. We will visit a National Trust 16th century house - Greys Court - for afternoon tea as we meander back to Henley for a drink by the River Thames.

This will be English countryside in its quintessential beauty and at its best – so come and join!

SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)
Distance: 22km (13.75 miles)
Ascent: 300m
Duration: 6-7 hours walking
Grade: Moderate

COST AND LOGISTICS
Cost: £10
Start: 8.40 London Paddington for Group Save
Meet: 8:50 for those who buy their own tickets & walk to train
Finish: 5.30pm in Henley and optional pub visit.

Recommended morning train from London
Dep: 09:08 London Paddington
Arr: 09.52 Shiplake
Return trains: 17.30, 18.00, 18.30pm

Recommended train ticket
Off-Peak Day Return to Henley

• £16.65 group save/ network rail price
  Recommended: Buy a yearly Network Railcard for reduced train prices
  www.network-railcard.co.uk

Meeting Point:
In front of Heathrow Express Ticket Office

REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp
PRICE INCLUDES

• Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Travel costs
• Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
• PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)

• Suitable hiking shoes or boots
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water - 2 litres recommended
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
• Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
• Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino

CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.

QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.
We have operated over 1,000 events without significant incidents in the last ten years, achieved through meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions.
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